The prediction is a foot of snow or more by tomorrow night.
I did something I never do before a storm. I went to the grocery store.
Somehow I knew it was a mistake, but I had no choice.
My friend, Lu, hosts Monday Euchre. Today she can't be there and asked if I would do it for her.
That meant getting something for a light lunch and snacks for the tables.
So, off the to the store I went. I wasn't disappointed. It was packed with folks picking up milk, bread, and whatever they think they will need to weather the pending storm.
I stood in line behind three people with their carts overflowing.
Something caught my eye as I waited my turn at the checkout.
The sun!
Mother nature knows how to take care of us.
She is giving us a day of sun, blue skies, and clear roads so folks can prepare for what is coming.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday Night
I didn't watch the Pro Bowl. I did check the score only to see that the NFC is way ahead of the AFC. Glad I skipped it.
The Euchre tournament was so much fun. Rosemary tied for seventh place and received $5. I won the 50/50 and took home $26.
They had quite a crowd to play cards. Scottsville should be pleased. It was a well run tournament.
There was an extra added benefit. I met a fellow Muckdog fan. We learned that we both sit on the third base side, but never ran into each other. We plan to make at least one game together this season.
I made it home in time to get in a game of wii bowling and wii golf.
Tomorrow is my last day in the shop. My hiatus begins Feb. 1. I'll be away for three months. Time to clear my head; finish a few projects; and do some traveling. I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit in the USA.
The Euchre tournament was so much fun. Rosemary tied for seventh place and received $5. I won the 50/50 and took home $26.
They had quite a crowd to play cards. Scottsville should be pleased. It was a well run tournament.
There was an extra added benefit. I met a fellow Muckdog fan. We learned that we both sit on the third base side, but never ran into each other. We plan to make at least one game together this season.
I made it home in time to get in a game of wii bowling and wii golf.
Tomorrow is my last day in the shop. My hiatus begins Feb. 1. I'll be away for three months. Time to clear my head; finish a few projects; and do some traveling. I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit in the USA.
Sunday, Sunday and a Storm is Brewing
The weather channel is predicting a bad storm headed our way. While the models show that it will cross the lakes and dump snow on us, the weather people aren't mentioning western NY as a place that is in the storm's eye.
That is fine with me.
In the meantime, life here is placid.
Isn't that a great word, placid?
It brings up images of peace, quiet, and a worry free day. I love it.
I'll be making coffee in a few minutes. While it is brewing, I'll take my shower. As my hair dries, I can savor that wonderful Sunday morning cup of coffee.
Late last night found me doing the end of month report for the shop. It took three phone calls to shop and stock to get it right. Gee, how was I suppose to know that $51 really meant $55? That four dollars may not seem like a lot, but it caused a few headaches as I tried to balance the books.
Today, I'm headed for Scottsville for a card tournament. The tournament will be fun, but having the company of Rosemary Christian and her daughter will be a delight.
Later, I hope to finish Jim Nigro's new novel, Tapestry. Our book group will read and discuss the book at the end of February. Jim is coming to the discussion. It's nice to have the author of a book join us. More about that later.
That is fine with me.
In the meantime, life here is placid.
Isn't that a great word, placid?
It brings up images of peace, quiet, and a worry free day. I love it.
I'll be making coffee in a few minutes. While it is brewing, I'll take my shower. As my hair dries, I can savor that wonderful Sunday morning cup of coffee.
Late last night found me doing the end of month report for the shop. It took three phone calls to shop and stock to get it right. Gee, how was I suppose to know that $51 really meant $55? That four dollars may not seem like a lot, but it caused a few headaches as I tried to balance the books.
Today, I'm headed for Scottsville for a card tournament. The tournament will be fun, but having the company of Rosemary Christian and her daughter will be a delight.
Later, I hope to finish Jim Nigro's new novel, Tapestry. Our book group will read and discuss the book at the end of February. Jim is coming to the discussion. It's nice to have the author of a book join us. More about that later.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Got a minute? Got an ear? Got a shoulder? Got a hug? I need them all.
This post was to tell you how great yesterday turned out.
The breakfast was delicious. The pizza sale was an overwhelming success. All 48 pieces of pizza were gone in less than a hour. The book discussion brought out a lot of comments and observations and the lunch that went with the discussion went without a hitch.
The only fly in the ointment was an invitation to attend a meeting to defend a spontaneous decision made by Shop and Stock. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Who knew that today would be so hectic that I really had little time to dwell on it.
Did you ever wake up and just know that the day was going to go downhill?
This was one of those days.
One of my volunteers called the office to say she was admitted to the hospital and wouldn't be released for a few days.
The office called me at 8:30am and I was off and running.
Organizing my wonderful volunteers can be a challenge. They are senior citizens. Like most their age, there are health considerations that need to be addressed.
This day, the person who should have staffed our snack shop from 9am to noon was off site for a doctor's appointment. My volunteer, in the hospital, was taking that shift as a favor.
Needless to say, with plan A and B out of the picture, the person to take their places was me.
On a normal day that wouldn't be a problem.
Today, I had other things on my schedule.
We have a scheduled event every Thursday morning from 9am to noon. It was obvious that I couldn't be in two places at one time, so I went to my go to guy and asked if he could take over that event. He couldn't. He was driving his wife to Albion in the morning so she could tend to her elderly mother. He planned to spend the day there.
With no one else to take over that event, I cancelled it.
My next appointment was at 11am.
The people who were coming in tonight to do a program planned to meet with me this morning to do an equipment check. That one I couldn't hand off to anyone else.
So, I locked the shop at 11am to meet with them.
My next volunteer arrived, on time, to replace me at noon.
I quickly went through a few updates with her and specifically explained that a vendor would be coming in with a delivery. I explained that she would have to pay the vendor. Satisfied that everything was under control, I left.
On my way to the elevator, I stopped by the kitchen to make sure that refreshments were ready for this evening.
They weren't. Not only were they not ready, but they didn't have it on their schedule.
We quickly agreed on refreshments, then I headed for home.
I looked at the clock, it was almost 1pm. I had to be back in the shop at three.
I did a few things around the house, then took a pill to take the edge off the searing pain in my bad knee. The plan was to lie down for a hour to let the pill work.
My head didn't hit the pillow before the phone rang.
It was the office. The vendor was there and needed to be paid.
Hmmmm, didn't I show my volunteer how to do this?
Yes, I did.
I got up and went back to the shop. The volunteer was in a tizzy. Apparently she hadn't heard a word I said. I paid the vendor, exchanged a few pleasant words, then went back home.
When I arrived back in the shop at 3, the volunteer let me know that Shop and Stock left a check for me in "the bag".
The bag? I checked the drawers and couldn't find a check.
It wasn't until I made my first sale that I found a check in the cash register. It was from our treasurer for the event's speaker tonight. Which would have been wonderful, except I didn't need a check for this speaker. I left it in the register and planned to return it, tomorrow, at a meeting we were both scheduled to attend.
Shop and Stock arrived a few minutes before six to relieve me. He apparently had a late night appointment since he was dressed to kill. All well and good, except we are both expected at tomorrow's meeting and I hoped to go over some things with him this evening after the event. That wasn't going to happen.
I gave him a rundown on the evening's schedule and left to go home anxious to grab a shower and change before heading down to introduce our guests.
The last request I gave Shop and Stock was to arrange to have an announcement made reminding our residents of the evening's program.
I turned on the shower, adjusted the water, and was about to get in when the phone rang. It was the president of our council. He wanted to know what he was suppose to say in the announcement. He also wanted to tell me that he dialed the wrong number and carried on a five minute conversation with some poor lady who had no clue about an announcement or what he was suppose to say. During all of this, of course, the shower is running and I'm stark naked.
The evening event went without a hitch. It was well received. So much so that the book, recently published by our speaker, will be the next selection for our book discussion group. I did use the blank check, from our treasurer. I purchased two books written by our speaker for our library. He autographed both of them.
Shop and Stock did come by just long enough for me to give him a heads up on an issue soon to be raised. Then he was off for the night.
The day is over. I am resting my knee. The meeting tomorrow will come without final preparation. The outcome may not be in our favor. We'll just have to wait and see.
The breakfast was delicious. The pizza sale was an overwhelming success. All 48 pieces of pizza were gone in less than a hour. The book discussion brought out a lot of comments and observations and the lunch that went with the discussion went without a hitch.
The only fly in the ointment was an invitation to attend a meeting to defend a spontaneous decision made by Shop and Stock. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. Who knew that today would be so hectic that I really had little time to dwell on it.
Did you ever wake up and just know that the day was going to go downhill?
This was one of those days.
One of my volunteers called the office to say she was admitted to the hospital and wouldn't be released for a few days.
The office called me at 8:30am and I was off and running.
Organizing my wonderful volunteers can be a challenge. They are senior citizens. Like most their age, there are health considerations that need to be addressed.
This day, the person who should have staffed our snack shop from 9am to noon was off site for a doctor's appointment. My volunteer, in the hospital, was taking that shift as a favor.
Needless to say, with plan A and B out of the picture, the person to take their places was me.
On a normal day that wouldn't be a problem.
Today, I had other things on my schedule.
We have a scheduled event every Thursday morning from 9am to noon. It was obvious that I couldn't be in two places at one time, so I went to my go to guy and asked if he could take over that event. He couldn't. He was driving his wife to Albion in the morning so she could tend to her elderly mother. He planned to spend the day there.
With no one else to take over that event, I cancelled it.
My next appointment was at 11am.
The people who were coming in tonight to do a program planned to meet with me this morning to do an equipment check. That one I couldn't hand off to anyone else.
So, I locked the shop at 11am to meet with them.
My next volunteer arrived, on time, to replace me at noon.
I quickly went through a few updates with her and specifically explained that a vendor would be coming in with a delivery. I explained that she would have to pay the vendor. Satisfied that everything was under control, I left.
On my way to the elevator, I stopped by the kitchen to make sure that refreshments were ready for this evening.
They weren't. Not only were they not ready, but they didn't have it on their schedule.
We quickly agreed on refreshments, then I headed for home.
I looked at the clock, it was almost 1pm. I had to be back in the shop at three.
I did a few things around the house, then took a pill to take the edge off the searing pain in my bad knee. The plan was to lie down for a hour to let the pill work.
My head didn't hit the pillow before the phone rang.
It was the office. The vendor was there and needed to be paid.
Hmmmm, didn't I show my volunteer how to do this?
Yes, I did.
I got up and went back to the shop. The volunteer was in a tizzy. Apparently she hadn't heard a word I said. I paid the vendor, exchanged a few pleasant words, then went back home.
When I arrived back in the shop at 3, the volunteer let me know that Shop and Stock left a check for me in "the bag".
The bag? I checked the drawers and couldn't find a check.
It wasn't until I made my first sale that I found a check in the cash register. It was from our treasurer for the event's speaker tonight. Which would have been wonderful, except I didn't need a check for this speaker. I left it in the register and planned to return it, tomorrow, at a meeting we were both scheduled to attend.
Shop and Stock arrived a few minutes before six to relieve me. He apparently had a late night appointment since he was dressed to kill. All well and good, except we are both expected at tomorrow's meeting and I hoped to go over some things with him this evening after the event. That wasn't going to happen.
I gave him a rundown on the evening's schedule and left to go home anxious to grab a shower and change before heading down to introduce our guests.
The last request I gave Shop and Stock was to arrange to have an announcement made reminding our residents of the evening's program.
I turned on the shower, adjusted the water, and was about to get in when the phone rang. It was the president of our council. He wanted to know what he was suppose to say in the announcement. He also wanted to tell me that he dialed the wrong number and carried on a five minute conversation with some poor lady who had no clue about an announcement or what he was suppose to say. During all of this, of course, the shower is running and I'm stark naked.
The evening event went without a hitch. It was well received. So much so that the book, recently published by our speaker, will be the next selection for our book discussion group. I did use the blank check, from our treasurer. I purchased two books written by our speaker for our library. He autographed both of them.
Shop and Stock did come by just long enough for me to give him a heads up on an issue soon to be raised. Then he was off for the night.
The day is over. I am resting my knee. The meeting tomorrow will come without final preparation. The outcome may not be in our favor. We'll just have to wait and see.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Mudbound and other things
Today is going to be a busy day.
The kitchen volunteers will serve a breakfast this morning. They worked hard all day yesterday and the aroma of sizzling bacon and other goodies permeated every floor. That alone is enough to entice me down there this morning.
After breakfast, I have to get busy and put the finishing touches on our book club luncheon. We're having tea sandwiches, fruit compote and chocolate covered cream puffs for dessert. The book, Mudbound, is the topic for today and the book selection for A Tale for 3 Counties. It will be fun to hear the comments from our group. I liked the book. I'll admit that it wasn't one I might have picked up off the shelves but once I had it in my hands I couldn't put it down.
Before our book discussion, I have to be in the shop at 11:30am to get ready for our pizza sale. The response to the sale was a little overwhelming. I originally ordered one pizza from Pauly's Pizza. Then, I had second thoughts. Finally, last night, I decided to go with two. I'm crossing my fingers and hope I made the right decision. I'll have to help set up the room for the pizza sale, then it will be up to the staff to take it from there.
After the book discussion, I have a shift in the shop from 3 to 6.
At 7, I'm leaving for a Euchre tournament, in LeRoy, with a friend who is an excellent card player. I hope I have him as a partner sometime during the evening.
If the wii people are still playing when I get back home, I might squeeze in a golf game before I call it a night.
It should be a productive day.
The kitchen volunteers will serve a breakfast this morning. They worked hard all day yesterday and the aroma of sizzling bacon and other goodies permeated every floor. That alone is enough to entice me down there this morning.
After breakfast, I have to get busy and put the finishing touches on our book club luncheon. We're having tea sandwiches, fruit compote and chocolate covered cream puffs for dessert. The book, Mudbound, is the topic for today and the book selection for A Tale for 3 Counties. It will be fun to hear the comments from our group. I liked the book. I'll admit that it wasn't one I might have picked up off the shelves but once I had it in my hands I couldn't put it down.
Before our book discussion, I have to be in the shop at 11:30am to get ready for our pizza sale. The response to the sale was a little overwhelming. I originally ordered one pizza from Pauly's Pizza. Then, I had second thoughts. Finally, last night, I decided to go with two. I'm crossing my fingers and hope I made the right decision. I'll have to help set up the room for the pizza sale, then it will be up to the staff to take it from there.
After the book discussion, I have a shift in the shop from 3 to 6.
At 7, I'm leaving for a Euchre tournament, in LeRoy, with a friend who is an excellent card player. I hope I have him as a partner sometime during the evening.
If the wii people are still playing when I get back home, I might squeeze in a golf game before I call it a night.
It should be a productive day.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Everyone is Talking About the Weather
School closings seem to be the topic of discussion during this spate of icy temperatures. Below zero temps are not uncommon, but they aren't run of the mill either. So, when the temperature dips below freezing there are plenty of comments about the weather.
Some are meant to be helpful.
"Dress warm if you are going out."
"Make sure to close your drapes and shades to keep the heat in.".
Others are darn right funny,
"Don't touch your tongue to metal, even if you are double dog dared."
"Don't make angels in the snow while naked." (this was prompted by a police blotter item about a local man found doing exactly that!).
For some reason, sitting here keeping warm, I remembered the first few weeks of January, back in 1961 where the temperature dipped to below freezing for days. We couldn't get out of mother nature's chilly grip.
That year started with an ice storm on New Year's day.
Ice covered everything. The road conditions were dismal. The tree limbs groaned and cracked under the weight of the ice.
The days that followed brought more below zero temps.
It seemed as if the January thaw would never come.
Another ice storm I remember occurred while I was with my Mom a few years ago.
Mom's hearing wasn't the best. We were sitting in the living room watching TV when I heard the first sounds of ice hitting the house.
I went to get the portable oxygen tanks, and a few flashlights, just in case the power went out. She couldn't figure out why I was in a flurry of activity. The storm worsened, and Mom sat relaxed in her chair as I went from one end of the house to the other, checking the conditions outdoors.
Tree limbs were crashing into the streets behind the house. I could hear them hit. Mom, heard nothing.
I made a pot of coffee and sat there envying her ability to be oblivious to the storm and the possible consequences.
The power did go out. We were without lights the rest of the night. I switched her over to the portable tanks and made sure she had a flashlight by her bed.
We were fortunate to have a gas stove in the kitchen. Mom could have a warm breakfast even without power.
She was disappointed to learn that we weren't going out for breakfast. It was something she looked forward to every day.
No matter how bad the weather, my Mom and Dad were out and about. She always said that the streets and driving conditions were okay. Of course, she wasn't driving. I remember calling them during a blinding snow storm to see if they were okay.
"It's not that bad out. We just got back from the store.", she announced.
I could hear my father grumbling in the background.
Shortly after my father passed away, Mom was going out for her morning coffee. I was living out of town back then, and my sister told me about this particular event.
That snow storm dumped quite a bit of snow in a short amount of time overnight. My sister called my Mom and warned her not to try to get out of the driveway until someone came to plow it out.
Sis drove by Mom's house when she drove the kids to school.
"There is the car teetering on a snow bank!", exclaimed my sister.
"Mom tried to drive through the snow piled up by the city snow plow.".
My sister suffered from MS. Yet, she managed to get out of her car and helped my mom out of her's.
Sis laughed about it later, but she was furious at the time.
I do know that Mom learned that her car didn't have the power to bust through the snow.
Funny, how the weather can trigger memories.
Mom and Dad are gone but their winter adventures would fill volumes.
Some are meant to be helpful.
"Dress warm if you are going out."
"Make sure to close your drapes and shades to keep the heat in.".
Others are darn right funny,
"Don't touch your tongue to metal, even if you are double dog dared."
"Don't make angels in the snow while naked." (this was prompted by a police blotter item about a local man found doing exactly that!).
For some reason, sitting here keeping warm, I remembered the first few weeks of January, back in 1961 where the temperature dipped to below freezing for days. We couldn't get out of mother nature's chilly grip.
That year started with an ice storm on New Year's day.
Ice covered everything. The road conditions were dismal. The tree limbs groaned and cracked under the weight of the ice.
The days that followed brought more below zero temps.
It seemed as if the January thaw would never come.
Another ice storm I remember occurred while I was with my Mom a few years ago.
Mom's hearing wasn't the best. We were sitting in the living room watching TV when I heard the first sounds of ice hitting the house.
I went to get the portable oxygen tanks, and a few flashlights, just in case the power went out. She couldn't figure out why I was in a flurry of activity. The storm worsened, and Mom sat relaxed in her chair as I went from one end of the house to the other, checking the conditions outdoors.
Tree limbs were crashing into the streets behind the house. I could hear them hit. Mom, heard nothing.
I made a pot of coffee and sat there envying her ability to be oblivious to the storm and the possible consequences.
The power did go out. We were without lights the rest of the night. I switched her over to the portable tanks and made sure she had a flashlight by her bed.
We were fortunate to have a gas stove in the kitchen. Mom could have a warm breakfast even without power.
She was disappointed to learn that we weren't going out for breakfast. It was something she looked forward to every day.
No matter how bad the weather, my Mom and Dad were out and about. She always said that the streets and driving conditions were okay. Of course, she wasn't driving. I remember calling them during a blinding snow storm to see if they were okay.
"It's not that bad out. We just got back from the store.", she announced.
I could hear my father grumbling in the background.
Shortly after my father passed away, Mom was going out for her morning coffee. I was living out of town back then, and my sister told me about this particular event.
That snow storm dumped quite a bit of snow in a short amount of time overnight. My sister called my Mom and warned her not to try to get out of the driveway until someone came to plow it out.
Sis drove by Mom's house when she drove the kids to school.
"There is the car teetering on a snow bank!", exclaimed my sister.
"Mom tried to drive through the snow piled up by the city snow plow.".
My sister suffered from MS. Yet, she managed to get out of her car and helped my mom out of her's.
Sis laughed about it later, but she was furious at the time.
I do know that Mom learned that her car didn't have the power to bust through the snow.
Funny, how the weather can trigger memories.
Mom and Dad are gone but their winter adventures would fill volumes.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Pauly's Pizza, A Lunch Time Treat for The Snack Shop at 400 Towers.
I am so excited to announce that Pauly's Pizza is coming to The Snack Shop on Wednesday.
We are offering pizza by the slice at lunch time on Wednesday. This is our first attempt at offering fresh baked pizza as a lunch item.
If all goes well, and I don't see why it shouldn't, we will be adding Pauly's Pizza to our list of local vendors.
This will be a welcome addition, especially on cold wintry days when no one wants to go out for lunch.
Pauly is a great guy. He will bend over backward to accomodate his customers. I know, he has been a lifesaver for me several times.
Hopefully, we will offer Pauly's Pizza once a week as a lunch time treat.
We are offering pizza by the slice at lunch time on Wednesday. This is our first attempt at offering fresh baked pizza as a lunch item.
If all goes well, and I don't see why it shouldn't, we will be adding Pauly's Pizza to our list of local vendors.
This will be a welcome addition, especially on cold wintry days when no one wants to go out for lunch.
Pauly is a great guy. He will bend over backward to accomodate his customers. I know, he has been a lifesaver for me several times.
Hopefully, we will offer Pauly's Pizza once a week as a lunch time treat.
Pauly
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Right Knee & Clumsy Me
When I was a tall, spindly teen, I had a penchant for falling UP the stairs. The stairway to our second floor was steep and narrow. The first three steps were curved. I can't count the times I would be bounding up the stairs and slip, landing on my knees. Quite possibly this was the beginning of the problems I have with them now.
The success I had with the left knee is not repeated with the right.
The doctor warned me that it might be so. I really hoped he was wrong.
"It may take six or seven weeks for you to feel relief.", he said.
Six or seven weeks is a long time for an impatient person. Just in case you didn't know, I am one of those people who wants things done NOW, not weeks later.
But, there is little to do but wait for the pain to subside.
Little did the doctor know about clumsy me. If he did, he might have looked way beyond the six or seven weeks.
Early last week, I tripped over a small box on the floor. I went backward, hit my head on the closet door, then reeled forward. While I know it isn't possible, it felt as if my body went to the left and my right knee headed the other way. I think I was more aware of the crunchy sound I heard in the right knee than I was of the all over pain. That came later.
The following day, the top of my right foot was swollen. My right ankle is swollen as if it was twisted, but there is no pain. My right knee completes the triple play for swollen parts.
Last night, I hit my right pointer finger on the corner of a piano bench. It swelled.
So, in the course of a week, I have managed to destroy my right side.
Not finished! This afternoon, while in the shop, I was restocking the refrigerator. I moved a stool out of my way and banged the edge of the stool into my right knee. I jerked up only to hit the top of my head on the refrigerator door.
A maintenance man was just outside the door and came running when he heard me whimpering (yes, I was whimpering).
"Are you okay?", he asked. "What happen?".
I just stared at him. Do I really want to admit I did something stupid?
I hung in there for another hour then finally gave up the ghost. A friend came by. I gave her the key to the shop, told her I was closing up and asked her to contact the guy who would replace me so he could get the key from her.
He should have opened 24 minutes ago. I'm assuming he did since I didn't receive any phone calls.
I guess that means it is safe to take a pain pill, use ice on the knee and just relax.
Happy Friday night.
The success I had with the left knee is not repeated with the right.
The doctor warned me that it might be so. I really hoped he was wrong.
"It may take six or seven weeks for you to feel relief.", he said.
Six or seven weeks is a long time for an impatient person. Just in case you didn't know, I am one of those people who wants things done NOW, not weeks later.
But, there is little to do but wait for the pain to subside.
Little did the doctor know about clumsy me. If he did, he might have looked way beyond the six or seven weeks.
Early last week, I tripped over a small box on the floor. I went backward, hit my head on the closet door, then reeled forward. While I know it isn't possible, it felt as if my body went to the left and my right knee headed the other way. I think I was more aware of the crunchy sound I heard in the right knee than I was of the all over pain. That came later.
The following day, the top of my right foot was swollen. My right ankle is swollen as if it was twisted, but there is no pain. My right knee completes the triple play for swollen parts.
Last night, I hit my right pointer finger on the corner of a piano bench. It swelled.
So, in the course of a week, I have managed to destroy my right side.
Not finished! This afternoon, while in the shop, I was restocking the refrigerator. I moved a stool out of my way and banged the edge of the stool into my right knee. I jerked up only to hit the top of my head on the refrigerator door.
A maintenance man was just outside the door and came running when he heard me whimpering (yes, I was whimpering).
"Are you okay?", he asked. "What happen?".
I just stared at him. Do I really want to admit I did something stupid?
I hung in there for another hour then finally gave up the ghost. A friend came by. I gave her the key to the shop, told her I was closing up and asked her to contact the guy who would replace me so he could get the key from her.
He should have opened 24 minutes ago. I'm assuming he did since I didn't receive any phone calls.
I guess that means it is safe to take a pain pill, use ice on the knee and just relax.
Happy Friday night.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Genesee Co. Industrial Development Agency, a Cesspool of Corruption?
Before I make a comment, take a look at the conclusions in the report that addresses the compensation awarded to those in charge of our Industrial Development efforts.
1. Prior to 2010, the GCIDA had no formal policies in place regarding bonus payments, but still had a practice of awarding bonuses to its employees. Any bonus program must be clearly defined in the adopted policies and procedures of the agency. The bonus payment practices followed by the GCIDA also do not comply with guidance provided in State Comptroller’s Opinion 2000-9 regarding provisions for additional compensation. The GCIDA’s current practices must be terminated and its bonus program suspended until such time as its policies conform to this guidance.
2. We recommend that all bonus payments provided to GCIDA employees during the period when it had no formal policies be recovered.
3. Bonuses may not be paid to individual employees based on the collective performance of the organization. Bonuses may only be paid in accordance with a performance evaluation program that pre-establishes clear and measurable goals that the qualifying employee must meet. The GCIDA bonus payment program should be based on individual performance standards that are specific and clearly differentiated from the normal job duties of the employees, and specify the amount of bonus payments to be received for meeting those identified standards prior to the services being provided. This program should be formally documented and described and formally approved and adopted by the board.
4. The bonus payment provided to the consultant in January 2009 is not provided for under the terms of the consultant agreement and is inappropriate. As a result, the board of the GCIDA should act to recover this $500 payment.
5. All bonus payments to be awarded should be formally presented and approved by the board prior to making payment by a compensation committee properly established in the by-laws of the GCIDA.
6. The board should re-evaluate the appropriateness of the executive director’s compensation package, given that he receives the highest salary of any county IDA executive director, and the total compensation he received in 2009, including the bonus, was nearly $100,000 more than any other public employee in Genesee County.
Of course, those in charge cried foul! They feel that they should act as a private business even though they are 90% funded by Genesee Co. taxpayers.
Yet, this study showed that the executive director received, in part:
"For 2009, his salary was set at $153,000, with a three percent increase in 2010. In addition to a bonus, the executive director was originally provided with membership in a country club of his choice, and a $900 monthly allowance for automobile use. These benefits were dropped in the 2009 through 2011 employment agreement, and replaced with a life insurance policy and a deferred compensation plan."
A membership to a country club of his choice? How many other county employees are given this perk?
The executive director's makes more than our Genesee Co. District Attorney. He is one of the top paid IDA executives in New York State. Folks, our county is so small, that most times everyone in NYS forgets we exist. If he were bringing good paying jobs to Genesee Co., then perhaps all of this could be justified. The sad fact is that his track record for bringing jobs is dismal.
Want to read more about this latest fiasco.
Take a look at:
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01/88480/
1. Prior to 2010, the GCIDA had no formal policies in place regarding bonus payments, but still had a practice of awarding bonuses to its employees. Any bonus program must be clearly defined in the adopted policies and procedures of the agency. The bonus payment practices followed by the GCIDA also do not comply with guidance provided in State Comptroller’s Opinion 2000-9 regarding provisions for additional compensation. The GCIDA’s current practices must be terminated and its bonus program suspended until such time as its policies conform to this guidance.
2. We recommend that all bonus payments provided to GCIDA employees during the period when it had no formal policies be recovered.
3. Bonuses may not be paid to individual employees based on the collective performance of the organization. Bonuses may only be paid in accordance with a performance evaluation program that pre-establishes clear and measurable goals that the qualifying employee must meet. The GCIDA bonus payment program should be based on individual performance standards that are specific and clearly differentiated from the normal job duties of the employees, and specify the amount of bonus payments to be received for meeting those identified standards prior to the services being provided. This program should be formally documented and described and formally approved and adopted by the board.
4. The bonus payment provided to the consultant in January 2009 is not provided for under the terms of the consultant agreement and is inappropriate. As a result, the board of the GCIDA should act to recover this $500 payment.
5. All bonus payments to be awarded should be formally presented and approved by the board prior to making payment by a compensation committee properly established in the by-laws of the GCIDA.
6. The board should re-evaluate the appropriateness of the executive director’s compensation package, given that he receives the highest salary of any county IDA executive director, and the total compensation he received in 2009, including the bonus, was nearly $100,000 more than any other public employee in Genesee County.
Of course, those in charge cried foul! They feel that they should act as a private business even though they are 90% funded by Genesee Co. taxpayers.
Yet, this study showed that the executive director received, in part:
"For 2009, his salary was set at $153,000, with a three percent increase in 2010. In addition to a bonus, the executive director was originally provided with membership in a country club of his choice, and a $900 monthly allowance for automobile use. These benefits were dropped in the 2009 through 2011 employment agreement, and replaced with a life insurance policy and a deferred compensation plan."
A membership to a country club of his choice? How many other county employees are given this perk?
The executive director's makes more than our Genesee Co. District Attorney. He is one of the top paid IDA executives in New York State. Folks, our county is so small, that most times everyone in NYS forgets we exist. If he were bringing good paying jobs to Genesee Co., then perhaps all of this could be justified. The sad fact is that his track record for bringing jobs is dismal.
Want to read more about this latest fiasco.
Take a look at:
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01/88480/
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Are You the Trombone House?
Three of my four sons were in our public school's music program.
Among the instruments they played, was the trombone.
The first trombone belonged to my uncle and was gifted to my oldest son. His brothers played trombones as well as tuba, sousaphone, contrabass and the baritone. You could say we cornered the market on the bottom of the band.
One day, a man came to the house and asked if he had found the "trombone house". It seems he wanted to sell a trombone and someone directed him to us.
The boys were part of the local production of Music Man. They, along with fellow band members, were able to really play the instruments in the boys' band.
All of this is just a prelude to the video of the Ambassadors of Harmony-2009 International Barbershop Chorus Champions.
Enjoy.
Among the instruments they played, was the trombone.
The first trombone belonged to my uncle and was gifted to my oldest son. His brothers played trombones as well as tuba, sousaphone, contrabass and the baritone. You could say we cornered the market on the bottom of the band.
One day, a man came to the house and asked if he had found the "trombone house". It seems he wanted to sell a trombone and someone directed him to us.
The boys were part of the local production of Music Man. They, along with fellow band members, were able to really play the instruments in the boys' band.
All of this is just a prelude to the video of the Ambassadors of Harmony-2009 International Barbershop Chorus Champions.
Enjoy.
Beef on Weck
Regional food is always fun.
Here, in Western New York, we love our chicken wings, our unique pizza, and beef on weck sandwiches.
Beef on weck? It is a sloppy, delicious roast beef sandwich that most people don't attempt at home.
Charlie the Butcher, in Buffalo is the home of great beef on weck. Here, in Batavia, the Pok-a-Dot still holds sway as THE place to get one. Recently, almost by accident, I found another place where I will order one. The bar at Batavia Downs offers a beef on weck that is hard to resist. They serve it with their home made potato chips.
Out of town visitors have to have a primer on how to eat the sandwich. It doesn't take too long to get the hang of it.
How to Eat a Roast Beef on Kummelweck: *
1.Take the top off the kummelweck roll;
2.Add the sauces: au jus and horseradish;
3.Make the sandwich as sloppy and wet as you can;
4.Replace the top;
5.Eat the sandwich;
6.Use a million napkins.
* The Kummelweck roll is a kaiser roll with caroway seed and coarse salt sprinkled on it.
This is a sandwich that folks coming home for a vacation always have on their "must get" list.
I know people who now live away from our area now make their own. For those who are brave enough to make them from scratch, here is the best recipe direct from Charlie the Butcher.
Here, in Western New York, we love our chicken wings, our unique pizza, and beef on weck sandwiches.
Beef on weck? It is a sloppy, delicious roast beef sandwich that most people don't attempt at home.
Charlie the Butcher, in Buffalo is the home of great beef on weck. Here, in Batavia, the Pok-a-Dot still holds sway as THE place to get one. Recently, almost by accident, I found another place where I will order one. The bar at Batavia Downs offers a beef on weck that is hard to resist. They serve it with their home made potato chips.
Out of town visitors have to have a primer on how to eat the sandwich. It doesn't take too long to get the hang of it.
How to Eat a Roast Beef on Kummelweck: *
1.Take the top off the kummelweck roll;
2.Add the sauces: au jus and horseradish;
3.Make the sandwich as sloppy and wet as you can;
4.Replace the top;
5.Eat the sandwich;
6.Use a million napkins.
* The Kummelweck roll is a kaiser roll with caroway seed and coarse salt sprinkled on it.
This is a sandwich that folks coming home for a vacation always have on their "must get" list.
I know people who now live away from our area now make their own. For those who are brave enough to make them from scratch, here is the best recipe direct from Charlie the Butcher.
Monday, January 17, 2011
An Assumption!
Perhaps, this should be a profound statement on Martin Luther King, but it isn't.
It is about how a conversation can leave one wondering if the air we are breathing is contaminated with some sort of element that prohibits the ability to carry on a conversation.
Saturday morning, I stepped out of my apartment and found preparations for some event in the common area near the elevator.
Two eight foot tables were covered with red and blue tableclothes. Streamers were hung on the walls.
As I waited for the elevator a neighbor came out of her apartment.
"What's this for?", I asked.
"It's for that guy.", she replied, pointing to a neighbor's door.
"He is having a party?", I asked.
"No, its for the guy who got shot.". We only have two men on our floor. If one of them had been shot, I'm sure I would have heard about it.
"Who got shot?"
"That guy, you know. They are celebrating it tomorrow.", she mumbled.
"Martin Luther King?", I asked.
"Yep, the guy who got shot.".
At that point, the elevator door opened and I quickly escaped.
As I rode down the elevator, I couldn't help but wonder who would be celebrating the fact that Martin Luther King was murdered. There is no one, that I know, who would be callous.
So, as I counted off the people living on my floor, I determined that the lovely black lady at the end of the hall was commorating MLK day and our misinformed neighbor just got her wires crossed.
Fast forward to Sunday morning.
I left the apartment loaded down with the food for the NFL Playoff party. At my feet and all over the common area floor were balloons; the tables were set and final preparations for the event were underway.
My neighbor couldn't be more far off on her explanation.
Our neighbor, at the end of the hall,
WAS planning a celebration. It had nothing to do with Martin Luther King, it was to celebrate her grandson's fifth birthday.
I did go back to my apartment, later in the afternoon, to pick up a few things I forgot. I walked out of the elevator and into a wonderful family celebration.
It is about how a conversation can leave one wondering if the air we are breathing is contaminated with some sort of element that prohibits the ability to carry on a conversation.
Saturday morning, I stepped out of my apartment and found preparations for some event in the common area near the elevator.
Two eight foot tables were covered with red and blue tableclothes. Streamers were hung on the walls.
As I waited for the elevator a neighbor came out of her apartment.
"What's this for?", I asked.
"It's for that guy.", she replied, pointing to a neighbor's door.
"He is having a party?", I asked.
"No, its for the guy who got shot.". We only have two men on our floor. If one of them had been shot, I'm sure I would have heard about it.
"Who got shot?"
"That guy, you know. They are celebrating it tomorrow.", she mumbled.
"Martin Luther King?", I asked.
"Yep, the guy who got shot.".
At that point, the elevator door opened and I quickly escaped.
As I rode down the elevator, I couldn't help but wonder who would be celebrating the fact that Martin Luther King was murdered. There is no one, that I know, who would be callous.
So, as I counted off the people living on my floor, I determined that the lovely black lady at the end of the hall was commorating MLK day and our misinformed neighbor just got her wires crossed.
Fast forward to Sunday morning.
I left the apartment loaded down with the food for the NFL Playoff party. At my feet and all over the common area floor were balloons; the tables were set and final preparations for the event were underway.
My neighbor couldn't be more far off on her explanation.
Our neighbor, at the end of the hall,
WAS planning a celebration. It had nothing to do with Martin Luther King, it was to celebrate her grandson's fifth birthday.
I did go back to my apartment, later in the afternoon, to pick up a few things I forgot. I walked out of the elevator and into a wonderful family celebration.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, Sunday - Jan. 16
The Seattle Seahawks are playing Chicago in the early playoff game. The late game will see the Jets at Foxboro playing the Patriots. This will be a fun, and busy, day.
Last night, we multitasked. We turned the tv around so we could watch the late playoff game while playing wii golf. I think the week caught up to most of us. We all threw in the towel shortly after the game ended. All, except for one hardy soul who chose to keep playing alone. Perhaps he needed that time to think. One can, at times, do their best thinking when their mind is occupied with something else.
It worked out well for me. After I went home, I remembered a few things I'll need for this afternoon. One phone call to the only person I knew who was still awake took care of that. I gave him the list of things I need and he can pick them up this morning (if he remembers, this is a senior complex and memories aren't always the best).
Today, the menu for the day is easy. Ham and cheese on rye (a favorite of the football crowd) and a relish tray for the first game. The second game, we're having chili, German potato salad, and snacks. We might be sharing the room with the weekly pot luck supper group. Last year, they chose to go to another room for their supper while the playoff game was on. I wonder if they'll stay to watch the game with us this year.
This is mid January. It is snowing as I write this. Big lake flakes are swirling by my window. My view is hardly a Norman Rockwell scene, but it is a slice of small town living. A few cars are going down the street. I can see people walking through the parking lot across from the apartment. They are hardy souls. It is cold and windy. Not a great day for walking.
It could be worse, of course. The northeast has been battered by massive amounts of snow. We are far enough inland not to be effected by them. Our snow, for the most part, comes off Lakes Erie and Ontario. Unlike the storms to our east that paralyzed three or four states, our lake effect snow doesn't blanket a large area. Many times, the narrow lake effect bands will only stretch a few miles. A ten minute drive in either direction will find the roads clear and the sun shining.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday. It's time to get preparations underway for the day.
Last night, we multitasked. We turned the tv around so we could watch the late playoff game while playing wii golf. I think the week caught up to most of us. We all threw in the towel shortly after the game ended. All, except for one hardy soul who chose to keep playing alone. Perhaps he needed that time to think. One can, at times, do their best thinking when their mind is occupied with something else.
It worked out well for me. After I went home, I remembered a few things I'll need for this afternoon. One phone call to the only person I knew who was still awake took care of that. I gave him the list of things I need and he can pick them up this morning (if he remembers, this is a senior complex and memories aren't always the best).
Today, the menu for the day is easy. Ham and cheese on rye (a favorite of the football crowd) and a relish tray for the first game. The second game, we're having chili, German potato salad, and snacks. We might be sharing the room with the weekly pot luck supper group. Last year, they chose to go to another room for their supper while the playoff game was on. I wonder if they'll stay to watch the game with us this year.
This is mid January. It is snowing as I write this. Big lake flakes are swirling by my window. My view is hardly a Norman Rockwell scene, but it is a slice of small town living. A few cars are going down the street. I can see people walking through the parking lot across from the apartment. They are hardy souls. It is cold and windy. Not a great day for walking.
It could be worse, of course. The northeast has been battered by massive amounts of snow. We are far enough inland not to be effected by them. Our snow, for the most part, comes off Lakes Erie and Ontario. Unlike the storms to our east that paralyzed three or four states, our lake effect snow doesn't blanket a large area. Many times, the narrow lake effect bands will only stretch a few miles. A ten minute drive in either direction will find the roads clear and the sun shining.
I hope you enjoy your Sunday. It's time to get preparations underway for the day.
Friday, January 14, 2011
One Door Closes, Another Door Opens
I have made a decision to take a three month leave of absence from our little shop effective Feb. 1.
It is time to step away and clear my head. I wasn't sure what I would plan to do with the extra time, but fate has a way of stepping in to make a clear path.
I received an email from a friend asking if I would help his brother tell his story. Intrigued, I left a message for his brother to call me. This should be fun.
There are four men who had a band when they were in their late teens. They had some success in the field of pop music then, as it often happens, they graduated from high school, went on to different colleges and devoted their time to growing up.
Fast forward thirty years when they meet in Batavia to have fun with a reunion concert. One from Rochester, one from New York City and two who make their home in Batavia. Their concert clicked and offers are coming in for them to perform.
This is the story in a nutshell. Of course, there is much more to it. Telling it, for them, will be a challenge I can undertake while on my own hiatus.
The good thing about this project is that it can be done anywhere. If I chose to travel, I can work on it while on the go. My deadline is mid March. The clock is ticking and the calendar is marked. Ready, set, go.
It is time to step away and clear my head. I wasn't sure what I would plan to do with the extra time, but fate has a way of stepping in to make a clear path.
I received an email from a friend asking if I would help his brother tell his story. Intrigued, I left a message for his brother to call me. This should be fun.
There are four men who had a band when they were in their late teens. They had some success in the field of pop music then, as it often happens, they graduated from high school, went on to different colleges and devoted their time to growing up.
Fast forward thirty years when they meet in Batavia to have fun with a reunion concert. One from Rochester, one from New York City and two who make their home in Batavia. Their concert clicked and offers are coming in for them to perform.
This is the story in a nutshell. Of course, there is much more to it. Telling it, for them, will be a challenge I can undertake while on my own hiatus.
The good thing about this project is that it can be done anywhere. If I chose to travel, I can work on it while on the go. My deadline is mid March. The clock is ticking and the calendar is marked. Ready, set, go.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Jamestown and Governor Cuomo
The smell of coffee woke me up this morning.
I glanced at the clock, it was 5:30am. Just enough time to shower and dress before my friend Dan would arrive for our trip to Jamestown.
It didn't take long to finish two mugs of coffee. I hit the computer to print out a few things the shop would need for the day. Our first order of cupcakes would arrive while I was gone. I needed a poster to put on the wall letting folks know. I, also, needed to print the cheese order I placed last night.
I went downstairs. The halls are empty at that hour. I dropped my coat and purse on a sofa in the lobby. walked down to the shop to leave the poster and order. I left a few notes for those who would be working, then back to the lobby to wait for Dan.
He was right on time.
Our first order of business on this snowy morning was a quick stop at Wilson Farms for a coffee for the road. Then we gassed up and we were on our way.
It wasn't really snow. It was more like rainy sleet that hit the windshield leaving a thin film of ice.
That rainy sleet was with us from Batavia to just beyond Depew. Then, we had great road conditions for most of the trip.
At 8am, just as we were approaching the toll booths after the free section of the thruway, I called Nick.
Nick was coming in from the east. He was just passing Batavia, which meant he was about 35 minutes behind us.
As we approached Fredonia, the snow started in ernest. We stopped, just outside, of Jamestown for more coffee. Nick had closed the gap, he was in Mayville.
Then, Dan and I got lost. Not seriously lost, but we had to call a friend of Dan's who came to rescue us and lead us to our destination. Nick, in the meantime, got ahead of us and was warm and snuggly inside while we were in a line (outdoors) waiting to enter the building.
It was well worth the wait.
Governor Cuomo's speech was uplifting and brutally honest:
"We need literally a transformation plan for a new New York and we have four principles that will guide our new government.
"We must transform our state government. The last time the state government was reorganized was 1927 under Gov. Al Smith. 1938 a reform was passed, a constitutional amendment, that said there could be only 20 executive departments – 20 - so what has happened since then. Well we couldn't create any more departments but the law didn't say anything about creating councils, advisory panels, working groups, facilities, offices, task forces, institutes, boards and committees. So what do we now have?
The Department of Health, only one department in compliance with the law, however there are 87 other organizations that have been added to the Department of Health, 46 councils, 6 committees, 17 boards, 6 institutes, 2 task forces, 5 facilities; it's time to organize the government make it professional make it efficient make it effective."
There will be no more blank checks for schools:
"When it comes to Education funding, as I mentioned earlier we're number one in spending but thirty-four in terms of results, that has to change.
The current education funding goes out by formula grants, meaning there are no performance incentives in the grant process.
A school district gets their numerical formula and that's what they're going to get, whether they do a good job, a bad job, it doesn't matter; they get the same level of funding every year.
The federal government is actually more innovative in this area. They're doing it now in the area of education where they run competitions, and for example, when they fund a state government, if the state government wants to qualify for the federal money they have to win the competition.
We know in New York how effective those competitions were in making the state government actually move and pass a piece of legislation authorizing charter schools so we could qualify for the Race to the Top money.
Competition works.
When I was in the federal government ten years ago, we moved from block grants to competitive grants. Everything was performance grants, because when you just give people cash with no results, you take the incentives out of the system."
The Governor spoke about the corruption in state government and his plan to clean it up:
"We will propose a clean up Albany plan with real reform. This is not going to be a situation where the people of the state will have suffered for years and lost trust and now were going to give them a watered down or half baked ethics reform bill. They're going to have real ethics reform. Were going to end pay to play. We're going to have full disclosure of outside income."
What impressed me?
I'm cynical enough to expect that someone in office will change their perspectives and goals. Governor Cuomo proved that he is true to his word. His speech, while specific to the state of the State of New York, echoed the goals he proposed at the Rural Democrats Conference in Niagara Falls this summer. He is doing what he promised.
We had a safe trip home. The snowflakes danced by the car almost the entire way. I had just enough time to catch a little nap before Dan arrived to take us to the Genesee County Democratic Committee meeting at L.B. Grand in LeRoy.
All in all, it was a great day!
I glanced at the clock, it was 5:30am. Just enough time to shower and dress before my friend Dan would arrive for our trip to Jamestown.
It didn't take long to finish two mugs of coffee. I hit the computer to print out a few things the shop would need for the day. Our first order of cupcakes would arrive while I was gone. I needed a poster to put on the wall letting folks know. I, also, needed to print the cheese order I placed last night.
I went downstairs. The halls are empty at that hour. I dropped my coat and purse on a sofa in the lobby. walked down to the shop to leave the poster and order. I left a few notes for those who would be working, then back to the lobby to wait for Dan.
He was right on time.
Our first order of business on this snowy morning was a quick stop at Wilson Farms for a coffee for the road. Then we gassed up and we were on our way.
It wasn't really snow. It was more like rainy sleet that hit the windshield leaving a thin film of ice.
That rainy sleet was with us from Batavia to just beyond Depew. Then, we had great road conditions for most of the trip.
At 8am, just as we were approaching the toll booths after the free section of the thruway, I called Nick.
Nick was coming in from the east. He was just passing Batavia, which meant he was about 35 minutes behind us.
As we approached Fredonia, the snow started in ernest. We stopped, just outside, of Jamestown for more coffee. Nick had closed the gap, he was in Mayville.
Then, Dan and I got lost. Not seriously lost, but we had to call a friend of Dan's who came to rescue us and lead us to our destination. Nick, in the meantime, got ahead of us and was warm and snuggly inside while we were in a line (outdoors) waiting to enter the building.
It was well worth the wait.
Governor Cuomo's speech was uplifting and brutally honest:
"We need literally a transformation plan for a new New York and we have four principles that will guide our new government.
- we want a government that pays for performance. No more blank checks.
- we want a government that actually gets results in real time.
- we want a government that puts the people first and not the special interests first.
- we want a government that is an icon for integrity where New Yorkers can be proud of their government once again."
"We must transform our state government. The last time the state government was reorganized was 1927 under Gov. Al Smith. 1938 a reform was passed, a constitutional amendment, that said there could be only 20 executive departments – 20 - so what has happened since then. Well we couldn't create any more departments but the law didn't say anything about creating councils, advisory panels, working groups, facilities, offices, task forces, institutes, boards and committees. So what do we now have?
The Department of Health, only one department in compliance with the law, however there are 87 other organizations that have been added to the Department of Health, 46 councils, 6 committees, 17 boards, 6 institutes, 2 task forces, 5 facilities; it's time to organize the government make it professional make it efficient make it effective."
There will be no more blank checks for schools:
"When it comes to Education funding, as I mentioned earlier we're number one in spending but thirty-four in terms of results, that has to change.
The current education funding goes out by formula grants, meaning there are no performance incentives in the grant process.
A school district gets their numerical formula and that's what they're going to get, whether they do a good job, a bad job, it doesn't matter; they get the same level of funding every year.
The federal government is actually more innovative in this area. They're doing it now in the area of education where they run competitions, and for example, when they fund a state government, if the state government wants to qualify for the federal money they have to win the competition.
We know in New York how effective those competitions were in making the state government actually move and pass a piece of legislation authorizing charter schools so we could qualify for the Race to the Top money.
Competition works.
When I was in the federal government ten years ago, we moved from block grants to competitive grants. Everything was performance grants, because when you just give people cash with no results, you take the incentives out of the system."
The Governor spoke about the corruption in state government and his plan to clean it up:
"We will propose a clean up Albany plan with real reform. This is not going to be a situation where the people of the state will have suffered for years and lost trust and now were going to give them a watered down or half baked ethics reform bill. They're going to have real ethics reform. Were going to end pay to play. We're going to have full disclosure of outside income."
What impressed me?
I'm cynical enough to expect that someone in office will change their perspectives and goals. Governor Cuomo proved that he is true to his word. His speech, while specific to the state of the State of New York, echoed the goals he proposed at the Rural Democrats Conference in Niagara Falls this summer. He is doing what he promised.
We had a safe trip home. The snowflakes danced by the car almost the entire way. I had just enough time to catch a little nap before Dan arrived to take us to the Genesee County Democratic Committee meeting at L.B. Grand in LeRoy.
All in all, it was a great day!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Please Sign the Get Well Card
Please let her know that there are people around the world thining of her and wishing her a speedy recovery.
Thanks
http://pol.moveon.org/giffordsgetwell/?rc=fb
Thanks
http://pol.moveon.org/giffordsgetwell/?rc=fb
Violent threats have consequences. And they have no place in American democracy.
I received this email today and felt it was worth sharing.
From: Michael Kieschnick and Becky Bond , CREDO Action
As if the crosshairs weren't clear enough, Jesse Kelley, Rep. Giffords' Republican opponent in a hard fought race for reelection held an event two months later that makes the stakes all too clear. He asked supporters to donate $50 in order to "shoot a fully automatic M16" to "get on target" and help "remove Gabrielle Giffords."
Sarah Palin should renounce use of shooting images in political rhetoric immediately, and stop using your platform to promote and validate violent calls to action on the right. Click here to automatically sign the petition.
What happened in Arizona yesterday was not an isolated incident, but rather the culmination of a long stream of threats and attacks, most in response to the Congresswoman's support for health care reform.
In November of 2009, a staffer fearing for Rep. Giffords' safety called authorities after a visitor dropped a handgun during another "Congress on your Corner" event at a local Safeway in her district.
And on March 22, 2010, just hours after Rep. Giffords cast her vote in favor of health care reform, a vandal jumped a gate and smashed the glass front door of her Arizona office.
It was just days later that the now infamous map featuring Rep. Giffords' district in the crosshairs was posted by Sarah Palin's PAC. In announcing the map, Palin issued a chilling tweet urging her supporters "Don't retreat. Instead — reload!"
Incredulously, through a spokesperson, Sarah Palin is denying that the crosshairs on her map targeting 20 Democrats who voted against health care reform represents gun sights
Sarah Palin subsequently praised Jesse Kelly on Fox Business News saying: "I don't feel worthy to lace his combat boots."
We agree with Keith Olbermann who said last night that "Violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in our democracy."
Our hearts are heavy for the victims of this tragedy. We must put a stop to the escalating hate rhetoric of the right and its very specific calls to armed violent action. Lines of decency have been crossed.
Sarah Palin has a special responsibility and opportunity in the wake of the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. For it was Sarah Palin and Sarah Palin alone who earlier put the crosshairs of a gun on Rep. Giffords. And so far, Palin's response has been Facebook prayers for the victims and an official denial that her widely distributed map involved gun sights at all. This is obscene duplicity at best.
Let us be clear. We do not know why the shooter targeted Rep. Giffords. Sarah Palin did not arm him or pull the trigger. We do not know if the shooter admired, loathed or ignored Sarah Palin. We will eventually know, and that will be a different accounting.
But only Sarah Palin put 20 Democratic members of Congress in her crosshairs, and only Sarah Palin bragged that 18 are now gone, leaving Rep. Giffords and Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia.
Someone has to say it. There has been an astonishing acceleration of violent right wing rhetoric. At the same time, the mainstream media has come to accept armed revolution (second amendment remedies) and violence as legitimate political discourse instead of calling it out as behavior that crosses a very dangerous line. In the past week alone, incendiary devices were received at the offices of the Democratic Secretary of Homeland Security and the Democratic Governor of Maryland.
This is what Sarah Palin and others like her have wrought with their violent and vitriolic rhetoric that literally places gun sights on people who don't agree with their extreme views.
Apologists on the right are already saying that while tragic, this event was simply the result of an isolated act by a deranged individual. There have always been deranged individuals. But they have not always had easy access to guns nor have they always lived in a 24-hour-a-day media machine that promotes a toxic soup of violent attacks on political opponents.
We are heartbroken by these events and our hopes and prayers are with the victims and their families. But prayers and broken hearts are not enough.
How can anyone not be haunted by the prophetic words of Rep. Giffords herself in March 2010, after her office was vandalized, threats received, and her name and district identified by Sarah Palin in her infamous crosshairs:
"Sarah Palin has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district and when people do that, they've gotta realize there are consequences to that action."
Will there be consequences?
Imagine the consequences if Palin were to apologize for her use of targeting imagery, pledge never to demonize her opponents in such a way again, call on all of her passionate followers to pledge to do the same, and promise that she will call out those in the media who do not follow her lead.
Will Sarah do more than offer her condolences? She might sell fewer books and have fewer Facebook fans. But the consequences would be enormous.
From: Michael Kieschnick and Becky Bond , CREDO Action
As if the crosshairs weren't clear enough, Jesse Kelley, Rep. Giffords' Republican opponent in a hard fought race for reelection held an event two months later that makes the stakes all too clear. He asked supporters to donate $50 in order to "shoot a fully automatic M16" to "get on target" and help "remove Gabrielle Giffords."
Sarah Palin should renounce use of shooting images in political rhetoric immediately, and stop using your platform to promote and validate violent calls to action on the right. Click here to automatically sign the petition.
What happened in Arizona yesterday was not an isolated incident, but rather the culmination of a long stream of threats and attacks, most in response to the Congresswoman's support for health care reform.
In November of 2009, a staffer fearing for Rep. Giffords' safety called authorities after a visitor dropped a handgun during another "Congress on your Corner" event at a local Safeway in her district.
And on March 22, 2010, just hours after Rep. Giffords cast her vote in favor of health care reform, a vandal jumped a gate and smashed the glass front door of her Arizona office.
It was just days later that the now infamous map featuring Rep. Giffords' district in the crosshairs was posted by Sarah Palin's PAC. In announcing the map, Palin issued a chilling tweet urging her supporters "Don't retreat. Instead — reload!"
Incredulously, through a spokesperson, Sarah Palin is denying that the crosshairs on her map targeting 20 Democrats who voted against health care reform represents gun sights
Sarah Palin subsequently praised Jesse Kelly on Fox Business News saying: "I don't feel worthy to lace his combat boots."
We agree with Keith Olbermann who said last night that "Violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in our democracy."
Our hearts are heavy for the victims of this tragedy. We must put a stop to the escalating hate rhetoric of the right and its very specific calls to armed violent action. Lines of decency have been crossed.
Sarah Palin has a special responsibility and opportunity in the wake of the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. For it was Sarah Palin and Sarah Palin alone who earlier put the crosshairs of a gun on Rep. Giffords. And so far, Palin's response has been Facebook prayers for the victims and an official denial that her widely distributed map involved gun sights at all. This is obscene duplicity at best.
Let us be clear. We do not know why the shooter targeted Rep. Giffords. Sarah Palin did not arm him or pull the trigger. We do not know if the shooter admired, loathed or ignored Sarah Palin. We will eventually know, and that will be a different accounting.
But only Sarah Palin put 20 Democratic members of Congress in her crosshairs, and only Sarah Palin bragged that 18 are now gone, leaving Rep. Giffords and Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia.
Someone has to say it. There has been an astonishing acceleration of violent right wing rhetoric. At the same time, the mainstream media has come to accept armed revolution (second amendment remedies) and violence as legitimate political discourse instead of calling it out as behavior that crosses a very dangerous line. In the past week alone, incendiary devices were received at the offices of the Democratic Secretary of Homeland Security and the Democratic Governor of Maryland.
This is what Sarah Palin and others like her have wrought with their violent and vitriolic rhetoric that literally places gun sights on people who don't agree with their extreme views.
Apologists on the right are already saying that while tragic, this event was simply the result of an isolated act by a deranged individual. There have always been deranged individuals. But they have not always had easy access to guns nor have they always lived in a 24-hour-a-day media machine that promotes a toxic soup of violent attacks on political opponents.
We are heartbroken by these events and our hopes and prayers are with the victims and their families. But prayers and broken hearts are not enough.
How can anyone not be haunted by the prophetic words of Rep. Giffords herself in March 2010, after her office was vandalized, threats received, and her name and district identified by Sarah Palin in her infamous crosshairs:
"Sarah Palin has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district and when people do that, they've gotta realize there are consequences to that action."
Will there be consequences?
Imagine the consequences if Palin were to apologize for her use of targeting imagery, pledge never to demonize her opponents in such a way again, call on all of her passionate followers to pledge to do the same, and promise that she will call out those in the media who do not follow her lead.
Will Sarah do more than offer her condolences? She might sell fewer books and have fewer Facebook fans. But the consequences would be enormous.
Governor Andrew Cuomo to Speak in Jamestown
Governor Cuomo will be visiting Jamestown on Thursday (January 13th) to deliver a version of the State of the State speech at 11:00 am at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
A friend and I will be making the trek, over the I-90 and through the snow on Route 60, to attend the speech.
It should be an interesting day.
We'll get back just in time to attend the year's first Democratic Committee meeting in LeRoy, Thursday evening.
A friend and I will be making the trek, over the I-90 and through the snow on Route 60, to attend the speech.
It should be an interesting day.
We'll get back just in time to attend the year's first Democratic Committee meeting in LeRoy, Thursday evening.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Third Annual Oven Mitt Tournament and Other Events
Can spring be far behind if horseshoe tournaments are scheduled.
No, I don't pitch horseshoes, but I do keep score.
The Oven Mitt Tournament, coming up this Sunday, is as much about good times with friends as it is about pitching horseshoes.
The entire event takes place outdoors. Hot dogs are grilled, there will be a big pot of chili and assorted dishes brought to share.
Each participant is asked wear an oven mitt when they pitch. That is the major clue that this is more fun than a sanctioned event.
The organizers do things like this all year long. Another fun event is the pajama party. Yep, everyone playing pitches in pajamas. Last year's mystery meat tournament featured moose meat.
Since it is about a two hour trip from here, the weather will be the determining factor on whether folks from Genesee Co. will attend.
The first weekend in Feb. is the first real sanctioned tournament. This is an indoor tournament held near Syracuse. The indoor tournaments are held the first weekend in February, March, and April. It attracts quite a few from this area.
By mid April, the weather will break so that outdoor tournaments can be scheduled throughout the state.
Wishing all the pitches good luck this season.
No, I don't pitch horseshoes, but I do keep score.
The Oven Mitt Tournament, coming up this Sunday, is as much about good times with friends as it is about pitching horseshoes.
The entire event takes place outdoors. Hot dogs are grilled, there will be a big pot of chili and assorted dishes brought to share.
Each participant is asked wear an oven mitt when they pitch. That is the major clue that this is more fun than a sanctioned event.
The organizers do things like this all year long. Another fun event is the pajama party. Yep, everyone playing pitches in pajamas. Last year's mystery meat tournament featured moose meat.
Since it is about a two hour trip from here, the weather will be the determining factor on whether folks from Genesee Co. will attend.
The first weekend in Feb. is the first real sanctioned tournament. This is an indoor tournament held near Syracuse. The indoor tournaments are held the first weekend in February, March, and April. It attracts quite a few from this area.
By mid April, the weather will break so that outdoor tournaments can be scheduled throughout the state.
Wishing all the pitches good luck this season.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Pointing Fingers Doesn't Whitewash the Vitriolic Rhetoric of the Far Right
I know people who describe themselves as supporters of the Tea Party. They strongly stand behind Sarah Palin. They are the people who live and breathe the words of Beck and Linbaugh.
After the senseless shooting on Saturday, they are also looking for someone to blame other than those who talk about putting public figures in the crosshairs.
In the New York Times article, parts of which are posted below, Carl Hulse and Kate Zernike predict this event will set off a wrenching debate over anger and violence in our political sphere.
They are right.
This isn't a debate about the 2nd. Amendment, it is a debate about how far the fringe elements of our political system are allowed to take their "put my opponents in YOUR crosshairs" rhetoric.
A nine year old girl was killed on Saturday. Was her life considered collateral damage in the far right's war on health care and other issues?
Yes there will be a debate.
I, for one, know where I will stand.
Bloodshed Puts New Focus on Vitriol in Politics
By CARL HULSE and KATE ZERNIKE
WASHINGTON — The shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others at a neighborhood meeting in Arizona on Saturday set off what is likely to be a wrenching debate over anger and violence in American politics.
While the exact motivations of the suspect in the shootings remained unclear, an Internet site tied to the man, Jared Lee Loughner, contained antigovernment ramblings. And regardless of what led to the episode, it quickly focused attention on the degree to which inflammatory language, threats and implicit instigations to violence have become a steady undercurrent in the nation’s political culture.
“We’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list,” Ms. Giffords said last March. “But the thing is the way that she has it depicted has the cross hairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they’ve got to realize there’s consequences to that.”
The image is no longer on the Web site, and Ms. Palin posted a statement saying “my sincere condolences are offered to the family of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today’s tragic shooting in Arizona. On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice.” (Late Saturday, the map was still on Ms. Palin’s Facebook page.)
After the senseless shooting on Saturday, they are also looking for someone to blame other than those who talk about putting public figures in the crosshairs.
In the New York Times article, parts of which are posted below, Carl Hulse and Kate Zernike predict this event will set off a wrenching debate over anger and violence in our political sphere.
They are right.
This isn't a debate about the 2nd. Amendment, it is a debate about how far the fringe elements of our political system are allowed to take their "put my opponents in YOUR crosshairs" rhetoric.
A nine year old girl was killed on Saturday. Was her life considered collateral damage in the far right's war on health care and other issues?
Yes there will be a debate.
I, for one, know where I will stand.
Bloodshed Puts New Focus on Vitriol in Politics
By CARL HULSE and KATE ZERNIKE
WASHINGTON — The shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others at a neighborhood meeting in Arizona on Saturday set off what is likely to be a wrenching debate over anger and violence in American politics.
While the exact motivations of the suspect in the shootings remained unclear, an Internet site tied to the man, Jared Lee Loughner, contained antigovernment ramblings. And regardless of what led to the episode, it quickly focused attention on the degree to which inflammatory language, threats and implicit instigations to violence have become a steady undercurrent in the nation’s political culture.
“We’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list,” Ms. Giffords said last March. “But the thing is the way that she has it depicted has the cross hairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they’ve got to realize there’s consequences to that.”
The image is no longer on the Web site, and Ms. Palin posted a statement saying “my sincere condolences are offered to the family of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today’s tragic shooting in Arizona. On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice.” (Late Saturday, the map was still on Ms. Palin’s Facebook page.)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Federal judge dead, congresswoman among 12 wounded in shooting
"(CNN) -- A federal judge was killed and a congresswoman gravely wounded Saturday in a shooting outside of a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store, according to police and government officials.
In all, six people died and 12 were wounded in the shooting, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, according to Rick Kastigar, bureau chief for the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
President Barack Obama later said Chief Judge John Roll of the U.S. District Court for Arizona was among the dead.
A 9-year-old girl also died in the attack, according to authorities. The child, whose identity had not been released, was pronounced dead at a hospital....."
I have tried to put together words that made sense about the horrific act, but none come.
Once again, I turn to my good friend, Chris, who said everything I felt.
Thanks, Chris.
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01/can-we-get-rid-of-the-damned-target-lists-now/
In all, six people died and 12 were wounded in the shooting, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, according to Rick Kastigar, bureau chief for the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
President Barack Obama later said Chief Judge John Roll of the U.S. District Court for Arizona was among the dead.
A 9-year-old girl also died in the attack, according to authorities. The child, whose identity had not been released, was pronounced dead at a hospital....."
I have tried to put together words that made sense about the horrific act, but none come.
Once again, I turn to my good friend, Chris, who said everything I felt.
Thanks, Chris.
http://wnymedia.net/ccharvella/2011/01/can-we-get-rid-of-the-damned-target-lists-now/
A Busy Weekend
This morning kicks off a very busy weekend.
I open the shop at 9am. I'll have a new volunteer coming in to learn the ropes. Her first shift is Monday morning at 9am. She, her husband and their little tiny dog moved in last weekend. I'm thrilled that she is volunteering.
This afternoon, I'll be shopping for the few last items for tomorrow.
We have a new vendor. She is a cancer survivor (brain tumors) who opened her own mobile kitchen.
I contacted Yvonne after reading about her in thebatavian.com, http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/meet-batavias-cupcake-lady/23584. We hit it off immediately. She is known as the "cupcake lady". Her cupcakes are a work of art. Imagine having a floral box delivered to your house, but instead of roses, you find a dozen beautiful rose cupcakes! Another cupcake theme is honeycomb. Each cupcake looks like a honeycomb cell, complete with a bee made from a jellybean. When all the cupcakes are grouped together, it resembles a honeycomb.
She not only bakes, but she does catering out of her mobile kitchen. When I learned that, my game plan changed for Sunday.
The tailgate party for Wild Card Sunday will remain the same. Roast beef sandwiches, relish tray, and other snacks. The team meeting will now be catered by Yvonne. She'll bring chili, salad, corn bread, and dessert and I won't have to cook for the meeting. There will just be light snacks for the Wii bowling tournament. When I look at my Sunday schedule, I don't see much room for my Sunday afternoon nap.
I found Yvonne's story so inspirational that I am going to schedule her to give a talk, at the Towers, next month. We have many cancer survivors and some who are currently being treated. I think her will to survive is a story that should be told.
Plans are underway for our Valentine's Day celebration. We will swing and sway to the music of Geoff Clough on Thursday, Feb. 10. Last year, at our dinner, I was asked to draw the ticket for the 50/50 raffle. I made a big deal out of rooting around in the jar looking for a "hot" ticket. There was a lot of good natured teasing when the winner was a man who volunteers in the Snack Shop and who, by coincidence, was sitting next to me at the dinner.
Our volunteer decorating guru is already decking the halls for Valentine's Day. She does a great job.
It is almost 8am and my day begins.
Have a great Saturday.
I open the shop at 9am. I'll have a new volunteer coming in to learn the ropes. Her first shift is Monday morning at 9am. She, her husband and their little tiny dog moved in last weekend. I'm thrilled that she is volunteering.
This afternoon, I'll be shopping for the few last items for tomorrow.
We have a new vendor. She is a cancer survivor (brain tumors) who opened her own mobile kitchen.
I contacted Yvonne after reading about her in thebatavian.com, http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/meet-batavias-cupcake-lady/23584. We hit it off immediately. She is known as the "cupcake lady". Her cupcakes are a work of art. Imagine having a floral box delivered to your house, but instead of roses, you find a dozen beautiful rose cupcakes! Another cupcake theme is honeycomb. Each cupcake looks like a honeycomb cell, complete with a bee made from a jellybean. When all the cupcakes are grouped together, it resembles a honeycomb.
She not only bakes, but she does catering out of her mobile kitchen. When I learned that, my game plan changed for Sunday.
The tailgate party for Wild Card Sunday will remain the same. Roast beef sandwiches, relish tray, and other snacks. The team meeting will now be catered by Yvonne. She'll bring chili, salad, corn bread, and dessert and I won't have to cook for the meeting. There will just be light snacks for the Wii bowling tournament. When I look at my Sunday schedule, I don't see much room for my Sunday afternoon nap.
I found Yvonne's story so inspirational that I am going to schedule her to give a talk, at the Towers, next month. We have many cancer survivors and some who are currently being treated. I think her will to survive is a story that should be told.
Plans are underway for our Valentine's Day celebration. We will swing and sway to the music of Geoff Clough on Thursday, Feb. 10. Last year, at our dinner, I was asked to draw the ticket for the 50/50 raffle. I made a big deal out of rooting around in the jar looking for a "hot" ticket. There was a lot of good natured teasing when the winner was a man who volunteers in the Snack Shop and who, by coincidence, was sitting next to me at the dinner.
Our volunteer decorating guru is already decking the halls for Valentine's Day. She does a great job.
It is almost 8am and my day begins.
Have a great Saturday.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Snack Shop at 400 Towers
A little over a year ago, our community room was getting a face lift. It was a project I championed since being appointed to the Residents' Council Executive Board two years before.
The room is quite large. Unfortunately, it had no character. Long, eight foot, tables and card table chairs were hardly inviting. Think a school cafeteria and you have the picture of the room.
The time had come to bring in new carpeting; drapes; tables and chairs.
Three vending machines seemed to be the 1000 lb. elephants in the room.
No matter how we tried to configure the new plan for the new furniture those vending machines were in the way.
Finally, I asked if our council received any funds from the machines. A check of the records gave us the discouraging answer. The pop and candy machines garnered nothing. The coffee machine, in the past three years gave us a check for $24.00.
The final straw came when the vending machine raised the prices for candy and pop. This is a senior complex. People on limited incomes who can least afford to pay the prices the vending company was imposing.
"Get rid of them!", I suggested. "They are taking up valuable real estate in that room.".
While other board members agreed, they were concerned about taking away the convenience the machines offered.
A lesson I'll never learn is to keep quiet and let someone else come up with a great idea.
"We can offer the same items at a lower price.", I offered. "Why not have the items available through the kitchen?".
It sounded like the perfect solution. The kitchen is staffed by volunteers. They provide two breakfasts; two lunches and one dinner a month. My solution seemed to make sense, to me. The chair of the kitchen didn't quite agree and wasn't about to have any of her limited space used as a store.
On Sept. 15, the director of the facility, called me into his office.
He was taking an efficiency apartment off line and making it into a fitness center. The apartment/fitness room kitchen could be just the place for a store.
I agreed that the room had possibilities. It is quite small, only 5'x6'. If the stove was removed and shelving installed, it might just work.
"Great. I'll have the vending company pick up the machines on Oct. 1. The store can open in the same day.", he announced. "YOU will have 2 weeks to get it put together."
Me!
I have zero experience with retail. None. Zip. Nada.
My head was spinning. We'll need volunteers.
One of the residents DID have the experience I lacked.
He retired from a retail business and then worked part time in convenience stores. I convinced him that I needed his expertise in deciding what we should place on those shelves.
He agreed to take on the challenge and went on a two week shopping spree for items he thought would sell.
The Residents' Council fronted the start up money. We knew exactly how much we had to get this project up and running. We also knew how much we had to repay the council. It seemed like a daunting task.
The facility's maintenance crew put up the shelves. The facility's director had a sign make for the shop.
When it was out, the residents would know we were open.
I put out a call for volunteers to staff the shop. Four people stepped up. Those four, my purchasing guy and I would take on shifts.
We put together a plan to keep the books; an inventory system; made a shift schedule and faced all of the small details that seem to came up in those two short weeks.
Business plans do not come together in two weeks. We were on a deadline that couldn't be changed, so that business plan became a work in progress - it still is.
We opened on Oct. 1, 2009.
That first month we brought in a little over six hundred dollars and gave the council two hundred. A far cry from that $24.00 check.
In Oct. 2010, our little shop was pleased to announce that our year end gross was $14,000. After expenses, we were able to give the council approximately $4000 for the year.
Last month was our best so far. We grossed $1717. We sell over 100 different items.
In the course of the 14 months, we have had many hits and a few misses. We are keeping to our pledge to offer a variety of items at reasonable prices. Our prices range for .25 to $2.00. The most expensive items are microwave soups and 4 oz. bags of cheese curds.
Pop, juice, candy, ice cream; pastries and most of the chips and crackers are .75.
The shop has become the general store of the facility. People come to pick up their books for our book discussion group. The Wii game can be checked out there. Folks stop in just to say hello.
We are open from 9am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday. Our staff has grown to 10 very dedicated volunteers.
Each volunteer staffs the shop for three hours. That gives us 4 shifts a day. We have an additional shift, called Shift 6. It is the after hours shift. There are three of us with keys to the shop. Most often, one or more are available to open the shop if a resident needs an item after we close. Shift 6, at times, brings in more than a regular shift.
Granted, we aren't available 24 hours a day as the vending machines were, but the residents have adjusted to picking up their snacks when the shop is open.
We are now going on our second year. I believe that we are still evolving and getting better.
Each volunteer brings their own experience to the mix. They are adept in customer service. They enjoy the time they spend meeting and greeting their friends and neighbors. Without them, we would have to close the doors.
The room is quite large. Unfortunately, it had no character. Long, eight foot, tables and card table chairs were hardly inviting. Think a school cafeteria and you have the picture of the room.
The time had come to bring in new carpeting; drapes; tables and chairs.
Three vending machines seemed to be the 1000 lb. elephants in the room.
No matter how we tried to configure the new plan for the new furniture those vending machines were in the way.
Finally, I asked if our council received any funds from the machines. A check of the records gave us the discouraging answer. The pop and candy machines garnered nothing. The coffee machine, in the past three years gave us a check for $24.00.
The final straw came when the vending machine raised the prices for candy and pop. This is a senior complex. People on limited incomes who can least afford to pay the prices the vending company was imposing.
"Get rid of them!", I suggested. "They are taking up valuable real estate in that room.".
While other board members agreed, they were concerned about taking away the convenience the machines offered.
A lesson I'll never learn is to keep quiet and let someone else come up with a great idea.
"We can offer the same items at a lower price.", I offered. "Why not have the items available through the kitchen?".
It sounded like the perfect solution. The kitchen is staffed by volunteers. They provide two breakfasts; two lunches and one dinner a month. My solution seemed to make sense, to me. The chair of the kitchen didn't quite agree and wasn't about to have any of her limited space used as a store.
On Sept. 15, the director of the facility, called me into his office.
He was taking an efficiency apartment off line and making it into a fitness center. The apartment/fitness room kitchen could be just the place for a store.
I agreed that the room had possibilities. It is quite small, only 5'x6'. If the stove was removed and shelving installed, it might just work.
"Great. I'll have the vending company pick up the machines on Oct. 1. The store can open in the same day.", he announced. "YOU will have 2 weeks to get it put together."
Me!
I have zero experience with retail. None. Zip. Nada.
My head was spinning. We'll need volunteers.
One of the residents DID have the experience I lacked.
He retired from a retail business and then worked part time in convenience stores. I convinced him that I needed his expertise in deciding what we should place on those shelves.
He agreed to take on the challenge and went on a two week shopping spree for items he thought would sell.
The Residents' Council fronted the start up money. We knew exactly how much we had to get this project up and running. We also knew how much we had to repay the council. It seemed like a daunting task.
The facility's maintenance crew put up the shelves. The facility's director had a sign make for the shop.
When it was out, the residents would know we were open.
I put out a call for volunteers to staff the shop. Four people stepped up. Those four, my purchasing guy and I would take on shifts.
We put together a plan to keep the books; an inventory system; made a shift schedule and faced all of the small details that seem to came up in those two short weeks.
Business plans do not come together in two weeks. We were on a deadline that couldn't be changed, so that business plan became a work in progress - it still is.
We opened on Oct. 1, 2009.
That first month we brought in a little over six hundred dollars and gave the council two hundred. A far cry from that $24.00 check.
In Oct. 2010, our little shop was pleased to announce that our year end gross was $14,000. After expenses, we were able to give the council approximately $4000 for the year.
Last month was our best so far. We grossed $1717. We sell over 100 different items.
In the course of the 14 months, we have had many hits and a few misses. We are keeping to our pledge to offer a variety of items at reasonable prices. Our prices range for .25 to $2.00. The most expensive items are microwave soups and 4 oz. bags of cheese curds.
Pop, juice, candy, ice cream; pastries and most of the chips and crackers are .75.
The shop has become the general store of the facility. People come to pick up their books for our book discussion group. The Wii game can be checked out there. Folks stop in just to say hello.
We are open from 9am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday. Our staff has grown to 10 very dedicated volunteers.
Each volunteer staffs the shop for three hours. That gives us 4 shifts a day. We have an additional shift, called Shift 6. It is the after hours shift. There are three of us with keys to the shop. Most often, one or more are available to open the shop if a resident needs an item after we close. Shift 6, at times, brings in more than a regular shift.
Granted, we aren't available 24 hours a day as the vending machines were, but the residents have adjusted to picking up their snacks when the shop is open.
We are now going on our second year. I believe that we are still evolving and getting better.
Each volunteer brings their own experience to the mix. They are adept in customer service. They enjoy the time they spend meeting and greeting their friends and neighbors. Without them, we would have to close the doors.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Shopping Today
This will be a fun Thursday morning.
I'm handing over Thursday morning Wii bowling to someone else so I can go out for breakfast; pick up my cane :( and get the groceries for Sunday's NFL Playoff Tailgate party.
The weatherman is threatening snow for the next two days. I want to get everything I need so I can enjoy watching the snow without going out.
Still debating on chili or seafood bisque for Sunday. I'm sure I'll make up my mind before I get to the store.
I'm handing over Thursday morning Wii bowling to someone else so I can go out for breakfast; pick up my cane :( and get the groceries for Sunday's NFL Playoff Tailgate party.
The weatherman is threatening snow for the next two days. I want to get everything I need so I can enjoy watching the snow without going out.
Still debating on chili or seafood bisque for Sunday. I'm sure I'll make up my mind before I get to the store.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
How To Peel a Hard Boiled Egg
I sat and watched this not fully ready for what he did. Amazing. I had to share.
Twelve Months of Monastery Soups
I love cookbooks.
I especially like cookbooks that offer more than just page after page of recipes.
One, in particular, is the "Twelve Months of Monastery Soups" by Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette.
I purchased my copy several years ago when I and a friend of my mother's went to Mass at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, New York. The Mass is in Latin and the Gregorian Chant is breathtaking. My friend passed away a month ago. Each time I pick up my book I think of that Sunday at the monastery and appreciate the friendship she and my mom had.
The cookbook was an added bonus. Little did I know that it would be a book I kept off the bookshelves and near my desk.
Brother Victor presents simple soups that anyone can make. He uses ingredients found locally, which I like. The wood cuts, used throughout the book, are fascinating.
If you like soup, and if you like cookbooks, I highly recommend adding the "Twelve Months of Monastery Soups" to your collection.
I especially like cookbooks that offer more than just page after page of recipes.
One, in particular, is the "Twelve Months of Monastery Soups" by Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette.
I purchased my copy several years ago when I and a friend of my mother's went to Mass at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, New York. The Mass is in Latin and the Gregorian Chant is breathtaking. My friend passed away a month ago. Each time I pick up my book I think of that Sunday at the monastery and appreciate the friendship she and my mom had.
The cookbook was an added bonus. Little did I know that it would be a book I kept off the bookshelves and near my desk.
Brother Victor presents simple soups that anyone can make. He uses ingredients found locally, which I like. The wood cuts, used throughout the book, are fascinating.
If you like soup, and if you like cookbooks, I highly recommend adding the "Twelve Months of Monastery Soups" to your collection.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Putting Together the February Newsletter
If a knee could have a shiner, then the right knee has one. It is black and blue. The only saving grace, today, is the pain pill.
Since I couldn't do much today, I decided to work on the first page of my February newsletter.
Of course, there has to be a mention of Valentine's Day.
I started my "Tales from the Tower" feature with a couple dancing.
Then, I realized that it was really a generation or two before most of us.
That got me thinking about the 1950s and if Valentine's Day cards and sentiment had changed since then.
When I was in grade school, everyone in the class HAD to give each student a card. It wasn't until sixth grade that passing cards became more selective.
That year, one card I received felt heavier than the thin envelops should be. I opened it to find a pair of tiny figure skates attached to a pin. It was from a boy who sat waaay across the room from me. We were casual friends and it came as a surprise.
I remember thanking him for the pin. He explained that his parents took him to Ice Capades that weekend and he purchased it there. He wanted me to have it.
What a fun memory.
I think our expectations about Valentine's day change as grow older.
It goes from childhood exchanges to a personal and intimate experience as we reach young adulthood.
As we get older, the expectations change again. Maybe a dinner, a box of candy or flowers. The sentiment changes to something more like, "we are like two old shoes that are comfortable". Not bad, but certainly not the romantic hearts and flowers day of our youth.
A few years ago, I invited a friend to taste test a recipe I planned on using in the newsletter. After dinner, he noticed an ad in the local paper for a restaurant serving prime rib for two on Valentine's day.
He thought it sounded like a good deal and asked if I would like to go.
I agreed.
Valentine's day turned into a very busy day. I did get my hair styled that morning but, from that point on, it was a day filled with must do errands.
Perhaps it was partially my fault for not mentioning the plans for dinner.
At our last stop to complete the errands, he handed me a box of candy.
I commented that it really was nice, but way too much considering we were going out for dinner that evening.
He looked at me with a total blank stare. Dinner?
I reminded him about the dinner plans. He totally forgot.
He was apologetic and offered to see if he could still make a reservation, but I knew it was too late.
We ended up eating pizza on the sofa while watching tv.
Was the evening a total loss?
I don't believe it was. It was the thought that counts.
That year, I gave him a large coffee mug with a neat saying on it.
He put it away and said he didn't want to break it.
I found it a year later, still tucked away in the closet.
Jokingly, I gave it to him again last year. He didn't remember it from the year before.
So, I put it away again.
I'm not sure if I'll drag it out again this year.
If I happen to run into him, I might just do that.
Time will tell!
Since I couldn't do much today, I decided to work on the first page of my February newsletter.
Of course, there has to be a mention of Valentine's Day.
I started my "Tales from the Tower" feature with a couple dancing.
That got me thinking about the 1950s and if Valentine's Day cards and sentiment had changed since then.
When I was in grade school, everyone in the class HAD to give each student a card. It wasn't until sixth grade that passing cards became more selective.
That year, one card I received felt heavier than the thin envelops should be. I opened it to find a pair of tiny figure skates attached to a pin. It was from a boy who sat waaay across the room from me. We were casual friends and it came as a surprise.
I remember thanking him for the pin. He explained that his parents took him to Ice Capades that weekend and he purchased it there. He wanted me to have it.
What a fun memory.
I think our expectations about Valentine's day change as grow older.
It goes from childhood exchanges to a personal and intimate experience as we reach young adulthood.
As we get older, the expectations change again. Maybe a dinner, a box of candy or flowers. The sentiment changes to something more like, "we are like two old shoes that are comfortable". Not bad, but certainly not the romantic hearts and flowers day of our youth.
A few years ago, I invited a friend to taste test a recipe I planned on using in the newsletter. After dinner, he noticed an ad in the local paper for a restaurant serving prime rib for two on Valentine's day.
He thought it sounded like a good deal and asked if I would like to go.
I agreed.
Valentine's day turned into a very busy day. I did get my hair styled that morning but, from that point on, it was a day filled with must do errands.
Perhaps it was partially my fault for not mentioning the plans for dinner.
At our last stop to complete the errands, he handed me a box of candy.
I commented that it really was nice, but way too much considering we were going out for dinner that evening.
He looked at me with a total blank stare. Dinner?
I reminded him about the dinner plans. He totally forgot.
He was apologetic and offered to see if he could still make a reservation, but I knew it was too late.
We ended up eating pizza on the sofa while watching tv.
Was the evening a total loss?
I don't believe it was. It was the thought that counts.
That year, I gave him a large coffee mug with a neat saying on it.
He put it away and said he didn't want to break it.
I found it a year later, still tucked away in the closet.
Jokingly, I gave it to him again last year. He didn't remember it from the year before.
So, I put it away again.
I'm not sure if I'll drag it out again this year.
If I happen to run into him, I might just do that.
Time will tell!
Governor Andrew Cuomo Slashes His Own Paycheck
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is slashing his own paycheck. The new Governor says he will give back five-percent of his 179-thousand dollar yearly salary. Cuomo says Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and other senior members of the Administration also plan to take similar salary reductions. The move comes on Cuomo's third day in office.
I believe he is headed in the right direction.
I can't help but wonder how his opponents will try to demonize this.
I believe he is headed in the right direction.
I can't help but wonder how his opponents will try to demonize this.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Right Knee and Me Week 3
Today was the last of three gel injections in the right knee. I wish I could say I sailed through it, but I can't.
I have to thank my friend, Lu, for taking me and being in the waiting room when I came out. Injections never bother me. I had to sit and let the nausea settle before I could leave the office. Lu, bless her soul, waited patiently until I felt I could leave without fainting.
The target for this shot was the vein. It was right on target. The doctor couldn't get it to stop bleeding and at one point even asked if I was on blood thinners. I'm not.
So, he wrapped it in gauze and then an Ace bandage which makes my knee look five times bigger than it really is. It has to be iced tonight to bring down the swelling.
My next appointment is in six weeks (on Valentine's Day, no less) for x-rays to see if the gel is doing what it is suppose to do.
I think I hoped that the right knee would react the way the left knee did. But, it seems to want to take a different path. Not only is the pain still there, but the top of my right foot is swollen too. I'm told that it is all part of the process.
I have a script for a cane! A cane? Sometime on Thursday, I'll be getting a cane. It will only be for six weeks until my next visit. It is suppose to help with stability. We'll see.
Perhaps one of the intriguing elements of a blog is to see where my visitors live.
The United States, of course, is well represented.
In the few short months since I began the blog, visitors came from
Vietnam (25); Slovenia (24); Netherlands and Russia (17 each); Croatia (14);
Germany and France (8 each); Denmark and Canada (5 each); Philipines (4); Great Britain (3) Australia and Isreal (2); Singapore (1).
I can reasonably assume that many of the hits come from Facebook friends; relatives and people with whom I worked at Kodak and LiveWorld.
I can, also, reasonably assume that some are gathering data and watch to see which ads get hits. (if that is the case, then please click on an ad once in a while).
Whoever you are and wherever you are located, welcome. I appreciate the interest.
I have to thank my friend, Lu, for taking me and being in the waiting room when I came out. Injections never bother me. I had to sit and let the nausea settle before I could leave the office. Lu, bless her soul, waited patiently until I felt I could leave without fainting.
The target for this shot was the vein. It was right on target. The doctor couldn't get it to stop bleeding and at one point even asked if I was on blood thinners. I'm not.
So, he wrapped it in gauze and then an Ace bandage which makes my knee look five times bigger than it really is. It has to be iced tonight to bring down the swelling.
My next appointment is in six weeks (on Valentine's Day, no less) for x-rays to see if the gel is doing what it is suppose to do.
I think I hoped that the right knee would react the way the left knee did. But, it seems to want to take a different path. Not only is the pain still there, but the top of my right foot is swollen too. I'm told that it is all part of the process.
I have a script for a cane! A cane? Sometime on Thursday, I'll be getting a cane. It will only be for six weeks until my next visit. It is suppose to help with stability. We'll see.
Perhaps one of the intriguing elements of a blog is to see where my visitors live.
The United States, of course, is well represented.
In the few short months since I began the blog, visitors came from
Vietnam (25); Slovenia (24); Netherlands and Russia (17 each); Croatia (14);
Germany and France (8 each); Denmark and Canada (5 each); Philipines (4); Great Britain (3) Australia and Isreal (2); Singapore (1).
I can reasonably assume that many of the hits come from Facebook friends; relatives and people with whom I worked at Kodak and LiveWorld.
I can, also, reasonably assume that some are gathering data and watch to see which ads get hits. (if that is the case, then please click on an ad once in a while).
Whoever you are and wherever you are located, welcome. I appreciate the interest.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Andrew Cuomo Sworn In
Read a great little item in the Albany paper that mentioned two friends. Lorie (Genesee Co.) and Jeanne (Wyoming Co.) drove four hours to spend a few minutes at the meet and greet for our new governor, Andrew Cuomo. It is nice that our small counties were represented.
I'm glad they had good weather for that eight hour round trip drive.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
I'm glad they had good weather for that eight hour round trip drive.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
The Bills play the Jets today. Game time 1pm.
The leftovers from New Year's eve and New Year's day are history. The tailgate party, sponsored by The Snack Shop, will be ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit salad, relish tray and whatever others bring to the party. There will be a birthday cake for one of our regular tailgaters. His birthday was yesterday, but we are celebrating it today.
The Bills didn't make it to the playoffs, but we will still root for them. It is going to be a fun afternoon.
The thermometer is at 29 and snow is in the air. Nothing like the first few balmy days we've enjoyed, so far, this year. I guess the few inches of snow we might get will just cover the dingy snow left in the corners.
The leftovers from New Year's eve and New Year's day are history. The tailgate party, sponsored by The Snack Shop, will be ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit salad, relish tray and whatever others bring to the party. There will be a birthday cake for one of our regular tailgaters. His birthday was yesterday, but we are celebrating it today.
The Bills didn't make it to the playoffs, but we will still root for them. It is going to be a fun afternoon.
The thermometer is at 29 and snow is in the air. Nothing like the first few balmy days we've enjoyed, so far, this year. I guess the few inches of snow we might get will just cover the dingy snow left in the corners.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
From the "You Can't Win" File - Venison Roast
The You Just Can't Win File
Remember the story about the venison roast?Tonight, I got blindsided by a very angry person who lost the love of his life over that story.
It is, of course, all my fault that his love searched out this blog and read it.
Apparently she also gave him a recipe for making the roast. The one, by the way, he used.
He raved over the venison for two days.
It was a good recipe and one he could easily handle.
When she read that he received a recipe from someone else, she broke up with him.
True love has many twists and turns. I guess this is one of them.
No doubt, by tomorrow, the air will clear and they will be back together. He'll go to church and in her words, "act lovey dovey", and all will be good.
I hope so. Once upon a time stories should always end with "...and they lived happily ever after!".
Happy New Year
2010 ended with friends. The celebration began with an early supper with 45 friends and neighbors.
Later, about 10 of us got together to ring in the new year. As usual, there was way too much food; a lot of laughs; and best wishes for a great 2011. Will it be? I hope so.
Today is 'leftover' day. There will be another supper this evening consisting of the leftovers from the big party last night and later in the evening, the smaller group will follow suit. It all has to go because we will be getting together on Sunday afternoon for our Buffalo Bills' tailgate. I've no clue what we'll have for tailgate. I guess I better give it some thought today and head to the store first thing tomorrow morning. New Year's fare is a hard act to follow.
The new year, one friend suggested, means that resolutions MUST be made. I don't agree. I do believe that one goal should be set for each week. Write it on the calendar. Make it part of the to do list. Then strive to reach that goal by the end of the week. It is easier to make life changes in small segments. At least for me it is. There are no monumental resolutions forthcoming from me.
"Change the things you can, and change your attitude about the things you can't". Not very profound but certainly a good way to start the new year.
Wishing you a very successful and healthy new year.
Later, about 10 of us got together to ring in the new year. As usual, there was way too much food; a lot of laughs; and best wishes for a great 2011. Will it be? I hope so.
Today is 'leftover' day. There will be another supper this evening consisting of the leftovers from the big party last night and later in the evening, the smaller group will follow suit. It all has to go because we will be getting together on Sunday afternoon for our Buffalo Bills' tailgate. I've no clue what we'll have for tailgate. I guess I better give it some thought today and head to the store first thing tomorrow morning. New Year's fare is a hard act to follow.
The new year, one friend suggested, means that resolutions MUST be made. I don't agree. I do believe that one goal should be set for each week. Write it on the calendar. Make it part of the to do list. Then strive to reach that goal by the end of the week. It is easier to make life changes in small segments. At least for me it is. There are no monumental resolutions forthcoming from me.
"Change the things you can, and change your attitude about the things you can't". Not very profound but certainly a good way to start the new year.
Wishing you a very successful and healthy new year.
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